1
as in inspires
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotes
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provokes
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urges
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourages
Combined, the ingredients are a powerhouse that encourages surface skin cell turnover to give complexions an overall smooth, supple appearance.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
Through speculative thinking and the power of the arts, this collection encourages us to see ourselves outside of the constraints that persist today.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The Mediterranean diet also encourages eating a moderate amount of animal protein; a serving of chicken, beef, pork or fish should average around four ounces, Goldstein says.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Beyond reading the college’s brochures and website, Selingo encourages prospective students to ask current students how helpful the career offices are, what their advisors are like and how accessible required courses are.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
This not only encourages them to share their best insights but also helps strengthen your relationship with customers—something that can be incredibly valuable for you as a product builder in the long term.
—Alexander Jabbour, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
How to stay cool during extreme heat The city encourages Hoosiers to keep the following safety tips in mind over the next few days.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
The presence of citizen participation in legal decision-making encourages civic engagement, fosters public trust and reanimates the participatory ideals on which the American republic was founded.
—Richard Lorren Jolly, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
The film is likely to spark heated debate among viewers, and that’s something Sweeney encourages.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
Through speculative thinking and the power of the arts, this collection encourages us to see ourselves outside of the constraints that persist today.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The Mediterranean diet also encourages eating a moderate amount of animal protein; a serving of chicken, beef, pork or fish should average around four ounces, Goldstein says.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Beyond reading the college’s brochures and website, Selingo encourages prospective students to ask current students how helpful the career offices are, what their advisors are like and how accessible required courses are.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
This not only encourages them to share their best insights but also helps strengthen your relationship with customers—something that can be incredibly valuable for you as a product builder in the long term.
—Alexander Jabbour, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
How to stay cool during extreme heat The city encourages Hoosiers to keep the following safety tips in mind over the next few days.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
The presence of citizen participation in legal decision-making encourages civic engagement, fosters public trust and reanimates the participatory ideals on which the American republic was founded.
—Richard Lorren Jolly, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
The film is likely to spark heated debate among viewers, and that’s something Sweeney encourages.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
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That insight has guided the team at Typhur, headquartered in San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley, a location that inspires them to engineer precision with intuitive design.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, concerns about declining populations are fueling the pronatalist movement, which promotes higher birthrates and frames demographic decline as a threat to civilization itself.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Chronic inflammation also promotes insulin resistance and cellular dysfunction that can lead to type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, a growing concern.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, Adair urges parents to discourage kids from chasing food trends.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
9 Sep. 2025
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The report also urges Canadian media to go beyond Black History Month to showcase homegrown Black talent and stories year-round, and to set goals on hiring and promoting black talent in organizations.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These employees retain valuable business knowledge, networks and the drive that cultivates the workplace culture.—
Gilda D'Incerti,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Through the inevitable challenges of constant change, the bonds an entrepreneur cultivates in the present can prompt their greatest accomplishments in the near future.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Loneliness is the healthy emotion that nudges us to get off the couch and go be with people.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Starbucks, for example, nudges users toward loading funds onto a digital gift card by offering more rewards.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This model fosters creativity and responsiveness.—
Kathleen Hurley,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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An official press release about the conference fosters some suspense, only offering a sparse explanation about the discovery.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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